Inhibitors of IMPDH enzyme

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a novel class of compounds which are IMPDH inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting IMPDH enzyme activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as therapeutic agents for IMPDH mediated processes. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the activity of IMPDH using the compounds of this invention and related compounds.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel class of compounds which inhibit IMPDH. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly-well-suited for inhibiting IMPDH enzyme activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as therapeutic agents for IMPDH mediated processes. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the activity of IMPDH using the compounds of this invention and related compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The synthesis of nucleotides in organisms is required for the cells in those organisms to divide and replicate. Nucleotide synthesis in mammals may be achieved through one of two pathways: the de novo synthesis pathway or the salvage pathway. Different cell types use these pathways to a different extent.

Inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH; EC 1.1.1.205) is an enzyme involved in the de novo synthesis of guanosine nucleotides. IMPDH catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine-5′-monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine-5′-monophosphate (XMP)[Jackson R. C. et. al., Nature, 256, pp. 331-333, (1975)].

IMPDH is ubiquitous in eukaryotes, bacteria and protozoa [Y. Natsumeda & S. F. Carr, Ann. N.Y. Acad., 696, pp. 88-93 (1993)]. The prokaryotic forms share 30-40% sequence identity with the human enzyme. Regardless of species, the enzyme follows an ordered Bi—Bi reaction sequence of substrate and cofactor binding and product release. First, IMP binds to IMPDH. This is followed by the binding of the cofactor NAD. The reduced cofactor, NADH, is then released from the product, followed by the product, XMP [S. F. Carr et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268, pp. 27286-90 (1993); E. W. Holmes et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 364, pp. 209-217 (1974)]. This mechanism differs from that of most other known NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, which have either a random order of substrate addition or require NAD to bind before the substrate.

Two isoforms of human IMPDH, designated type I and type II, have been identified and sequenced [F. R. Collart and E. Huberman, J. Biol. Chem., 263, pp. 15769-15772, (1988); Y. Natsumeda et. al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, pp. 5292-5295, (1990)]. Each is 514 amino acids, and they share 84% sequence identity. Both IMPDH type I and type II form active tetramers in solution, with subunit molecular weights of 56 kDa [Y. Yamada et. al., Biochemistry, 27, pp. 2737-2745 (1988)].

The de novo synthesis of guanosine nucleotides, and thus the activity of IMPDH, is particularly important in B and T-lymphocytes. These cells depend on the de novo, rather than salvage pathway to generate sufficient levels of nucleotides necessary to initiate a proliferative response to mitogen or antigen [A. C. Allison et. al., Lancet II, 1179, (1975) and A. C. Allison et. al., Ciba Found. Symp., 48, 207, (1977)]. Thus, IMPDH is an attractive target for selectively inhibiting the immune system without also inhibiting the proliferation of other cells.

Immunosuppression has been achieved by inhibiting a variety of enzymes including for example, the phosphatase calcineurin (inhibited by cyclosporin and FK-506); dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines (inhibited by leflunomide and brequinar); the kinase FRAP (inhibited by rapamycin); and the heat shock protein hsp70 (inhibited by deoxyspergualin). [See B. D. Kahan, Immunological Reviews, 136, pp. 29-49 (1993); R. E. Morris, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 12(6), pp. S275-S286 (1993)].

Inhibitors of IMPDH are also known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,380,879 and 5,444,072 and PCT publications WO 94/01105 and WO 94/12184 describe mycophenolic acid (MPA) and some of its derivatives as potent, uncompetitive, reversible inhibitors of human IMPDH type I (K_(i)=33 nM) and type II (K_(i)=9 nM). MPA has been demonstrated to block the response of B and T-cells to mitogen or antigen [A. C. Allison et. al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 696, 63, (1993).

Immunosuppressants, such as MPA, are useful drugs in the treatment of transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. [R. E. Morris, Kidney Intl., 49, Suppl. 53, S-26, (1996)]. However, MPA is characterized by undesirable pharmacological properties, such as gastrointestinal toxicity and poor bioavailability. [L. M. Shaw, et. al., Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 17, pp. 690-699, (1995)].

Nucleoside analogs such as tiazofurin, ribavirin and mizoribine also inhibit IMPDH [L. Hedstrom, et. al. Biochemistry, 29, pp. 849-854 (1990)]. These compounds, which are competitive inhibitors of IMPDH, suffer from lack of specificity to this enzyme.

Mycophenolate mofetil, a prodrug which quickly liberates free MPA in vivo, was recently approved to prevent acute renal allograft rejection following kidney transplantation. [L. M. Shaw, et. al., Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 17, pp. 690-699, (1995); H. W. Sollinger, Transplantation, 60, pp. 225-232 (1995)]. Several clinical observations, however, limit the therapeutic potential of this drug. [L. M. Shaw, et. al., Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 17, pp. 690-699, (1995)]. MPA is rapidly metabolized to the inactive glucuronide in vivo. [A. C., Allison and E. M. Eugui, Immunological Reviews, 136, pp. 5-28 (1993)]. The glucuronide then undergoes enterohepatic recycling causing accumulation of MPA in the gastrointestinal tract where it cannot exert its IMPDH inhibitory activity on the immune system. This effectively lowers the drug's in vivo potency, while increasing its undesirable gastrointestinal side effects.

It is also known that IMPDH plays a role in other metabolic events. Increased IMPDH activity has been observed in rapidly proliferating human leukemic cell lines and other tumor cell lines, indicating IMPDH as a target for anti-cancer as well as immunosuppressive chemotherapy [M. Nagai et. al., Cancer Res., 51, pp. 3886-3890, (1991)]. IMPDH has also been shown to play a role in the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, indicating that inhibitors of IMPDH, such as MPA or rapamycin, may be useful in preventing restenosis or other hyperproliferative vascular diseases [C. R. Gregory et al., Transplantation, 59, pp. 655-61 (1995); PCT publication WO 94/12184; and PCT publication Wo 94/01105].

Additionally, IMPDH has been shown to play a role in viral replication in some viral cell lines. [S. F. Carr, J. Biol. Chem., 268, pp. 27286-27290 (1993)]. Analogous to lymphocyte and tumor cell lines, the implication is that the de novo, rather than the salvage, pathway is critical in the process of viral replication.

The IMPDH inhibitor ribavirin is currently being evaluated for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and disease. Ribavirin enhances the sustained efficacy of interferon in HBV and HCV treatment. However, the therapeutic potential of ribavirin is limited by its lack of a sustained response in monotherapy and broad cellular toxicity.

Thus, there remains a need for potent IMPDH inhibitors with improved pharmacological properties. Such inhibitors would have therapeutic potential as immunosuppressants, anti-cancer agents, anti-vascular hyperproliferative agents, antiinflammatory agents, antifungal agents, antipsoriatic and anti-viral agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, that are useful as inhibitors of IMPDH. These compounds c an be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic or prophylactic agents, such as anti-virals, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants for the treatment or prophylaxis of transplant rejection and autoimmune disease. Additionally, these compounds are useful, alone or in combination with other agents, as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, antiinflammatory agents, antifungal agents, antipsoriatic immunosuppressive chemotherapy and restenosis therapy regimens.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of this invention, as well as multi-component compositions comprising additional IMPDH compounds together with an immunosuppressant. The invention also provides methods of using the compounds of this invention, as well as other related compounds, for the inhibition of IMPDH.

The compounds of this invention, as well as those used in the methods of this invention demonstrate a different metabolic profile than MPA and its derivatives. Because of this difference, methods of this invention and the compounds used therein may offer advantages as therapeutics for IMPDH mediated disease. These advantages include increased overall therapeutic benefit and reduction in deleterious side effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the invention herein described may be more fully understood, the following detailed description is set forth. In the description, the following abbreviations are used:

Designation Reagent or Fragment

-   -   Ac acetyl     -   Me methyl     -   Et ethyl     -   Bn benzyl     -   CDI carbonyldiimidazole     -   DIEA diisopropylethylamine     -   DMAP dimethylaminopyridine     -   DMF dimethylformamide     -   DMSO dimethylsulfoxide     -   EDC 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride     -   EtOAc ethyl acetate     -   THF tetrahydrofuran

The following terms are employed herein:

Unless expressly stated to the contrary, the terms “—SO₂—” and “—S(O)₂—” as used herein refer to a sulfone or sulfone derivative (i.e., both appended groups linked to the S), and not a sulfinate ester.

The terms “halo” or “halogen” refer to a radical of fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The term “immunosuppressant” refers to a compound or drug which possesses immune response inhibitory activity. Examples of such agents include cyclosporin A, FK506, rapamycin, leflunomide, deoxyspergualin, prednisone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, OKT3, ATAG, interferon and mizoribine.

The term “interferon” refers to all forms of interferons, including but not limited to alpha, beta and gamma forms.

IMPDH-mediated disease refers to any disease state in which the IMPDH enzyme plays a regulatory role in the metabolic pathway of that disease. Examples of IMPDH-mediated disease include transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as inflammatory diseases, cancer, viral replication diseases and vascular diseases.

For example, the compounds, compositions and methods of using them of this invention may be used in the treatment of transplant rejection (e.g., kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas (islet cells), bone marrow, cornea, small bowel and skin allografts and heart valve xenografts) and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitus), lupus, diabetes, mellitus myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, seborrhoea, pulmonary inflammation, eye uveitis, hepatitis, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Behcet's or Sjorgen's syndrome (dry eyes/mouth), pernicious or immunohaemolytic anaemia, idiopathic adrenal insufficiency, polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, and glomerulonephritis, scleroderma, lichen planus, viteligo (depigmentation of the skin), autoimmune thyroiditis, and alveolitis, inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma and adult respiratory distress syndrome, as well as in the treatment of cancer and tumors, such as solid tumors, lymphomas and leukemia, vascular diseases, such as restenosis, stenosis and artherosclerosis, and DNA and RNA viral replication diseases, such as retroviral diseases, and herpes.

Additionally, IMPDH enzymes are also known to be present in bacteria and thus may regulate bacterial growth. As such, the IMPDH-inhibitor compounds, compositions and methods described herein may be useful in treatment or prevention of bacterial infection, alone or in combination with other antibiotic agents.

The term “treating” as used herein refers to the alleviation of symptoms of a particular disorder in a patient or the improvement of an ascertainable measurement associated with a particular disorder. As used herein, the term “patient” refers to a mammal, including a human.

The term “thiocarbamates” refers to compounds containing the functional group N—SO₂—O.

The terms “HBV”, “HCV” and “HGV” refer to hepatitis-B virus, hepatitis-C virus and hepatitis-G virus, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides methods of inhibiting IMPDH activity in a mammal comprising the step of administering to said mammal, a compound of formula I:

wherein:

-   -   A is selected from:         -   (C₁-C₆)-straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₆)-straight or             branched alkenyl or alkynyl; and A optionally comprises up             to 2 substituents, wherein:         -   the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from             R¹ or R³, and         -   the second of said substituents, if present, is R¹;     -   B is a saturated, unsaturated or partially saturated monocyclic         or bicyclic ring system optionally comprising up to 4         heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S and selected from the         formulae:         wherein each X is the number of hydrogen atoms necessary to         complete proper valence;         and B optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, wherein:     -   the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹,         R², R⁴ or R⁵,     -   the second of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹         or R⁴ and     -   the third of said substituents, if present, is R¹; and     -   D is selected from C(O), C(S), or S(O)₂; wherein:     -   each R¹ is independently selected from 1,2-methylenedioxy,         1,2-ethylenedioxy, R⁶ or (CH₂)_(n)—Y;     -   wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; and     -   Y is selected from halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃, OH, SR⁶, S(O)R⁶,         SO₂R⁶, NH₂, NHR⁶, N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶R⁸, COOH, COOR⁶ or OR⁶;     -   each R² is independently selected from (C₁-C₄)-straight or         branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄)-straight or branched alkenyl or         alkynyl; and each R² optionally comprises up to 2 substituents,         wherein:     -   the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹,         R⁴ and R⁵′ and the second of said substituents, if present, is         R¹;     -   R³ is selected from a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system         consisting of 5 to 6 members per ring, wherein said ring system         optionally comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or         S, and wherein a CH₂ adjacent to any of said N, O, or S         heteroatoms is optionally substituted with C(O); and each R³         optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, wherein:     -   the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹,         R², R⁴ or R⁵,     -   the second of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹         or R⁴, and     -   the third of said substituents, if present, is R¹;     -   each R⁴ is independently selected from OR⁵, OC(O)R⁶, OC(O)R⁵,         OC(O)OR⁶, OC(O)OR⁵, OC(O)N(R⁶)₂, OP(O) (OR⁶)₂, SR⁶, SR⁵, S(O)R⁶,         S(O)R⁵, SO₂R⁶, SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁶)₂, SO₂NR⁵R⁶, SO₃R⁶, C(O)R⁵,         C(O)OR⁵, C(O)R⁶, C(O)OR⁶, NC(O)C(O)R⁶, NC(O)C(O)R⁵,         NC(O)C(O)OR⁶, NC(O)C(O)N(R⁶)₂, C(O)N(R⁶)₂, C(O)N(OR⁶)R⁶,         C(O)N(OR⁶)R⁵, C(NOR⁶)R⁶, C(NOR⁶)R⁵, N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶C(O)R¹,         NR⁶C(O)R⁶, NR⁶C(O)R⁵, NR⁶C(O)OR⁶, NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, NR⁶C(O)N(R⁶)₂,         NR⁶C(O)NR⁵R⁶, NR⁶SO₂R⁶, NR⁶SO₂R⁵, NR⁶SO₂N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶SO₂NR⁵R⁶,         N(OR⁶)R⁶, N(OR⁶)R⁵, P(O) (OR⁶)N(R⁶)₂, and P(O)(OR⁶)₂;     -   each R⁵ is a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system consisting of         5 to 6 members per ring, wherein said ring system optionally         comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, and         wherein a CH₂ adjacent to said N, O or S maybe substituted with         C(O); and each R⁵ optionally comprises up to 3 substituents,         each of which, if present, is R¹;     -   each R⁶ is independently selected from H, (C₁-C₄)-straight or         branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄) straight or branched alkenyl; and         each R⁶ optionally comprises a substituent that is R⁷;     -   R⁷ is a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system consisting of 5 to         6 members per ring, wherein said ring system optionally         comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, and         wherein a CH₂ adjacent to said N, O or S maybe substituted with         C(O); and each R⁷ optionally comprises up to 2 substituents         independently chosen from H, (C₁-C₄)-straight or branched alkyl,         (C₂-C₄) straight or branched alkenyl, 1,2-methylenedioxy,         1,2-ethylenedioxy, or (CH₂)_(n)-Z;     -   wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; and     -   Z is selected from halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃, OH,         S(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, SO(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, SO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, NH₂,         NH(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, N((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)₂, N((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)R⁸, COOH,         C(O)O(C₁-C₄)-alkyl or O(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; and     -   R⁸ is an amino protecting group; and     -   wherein any carbon atom in any A, R² or R⁶ is optionally         replaced by O, S, SO, SO₂, NH, or N(C₁-C₄)-alkyl.

The term “substituted” refers to the replacement of one or more hydrogen radicals in a given structure with a radical selected from a specified group. When more than one hydrogen radical may be replaced with a substituent selected from the same specified group, the substituents may be either the same or different at every position.

The term “monocyclic or bicyclic ring system consisting of 5 to 6 members per ring” refers to 5 or 6 member monocyclic rings and 8, 9 and 10 membered bicyclic ring structures, wherein each bond in each ring may be possess any degree of saturation that is chemically feasible. When such structures contain substituents, those substituents may be at any position of the ring system, unless otherwise specified.

As specified, such ring systems may optionally comprise up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S. Those heteroatoms may replace any carbon atoms in these ring systems as long as the resulting compound is chemically stable.

The term “wherein each X is the number of hydrogen atoms necessary to complete proper valence” means that X is 0, 1 or 2 hydrogen atoms, depending upon the identity of the ring atom to which X is bound (C, N, O or S), the identity of the two adjacent ring atoms, and the nature of the bonds between the ring atom to which X is bound and the two adjacent ring atoms (single, double or triple bond). In essence, this definition is meant to exclude from X any substituents other than hydrogen.

The term “amino protecting group” refers to a suitable chemical group which may be attached to a nitrogen atom. The term “protected” refers to when the designated functional group is attached to a suitable chemical group (protecting group). Examples of suitable amino protecting groups and protecting groups are described in T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2d. Ed., John Wiley and Sons (1991); L. Fieser and M. Fieser, Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1994); L. Paquette, ed. Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons (1995) and are exemplified in certain of the specific compounds used in this invention.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides methods of inhibiting IMPDH in mammals by administering a compound of the formula (II):

wherein B and D are as defined above.

More preferably, in methods employing the compounds of formulae (I) or (II), component B comprises from 0 to 2 substituents. According to an alternate embodiment, the invention provides methods for inhibiting IMPDH in a mammal employing compounds (I) or (II), wherein B comprises at least a single substituent selected from the group defined by R⁵. Preferably, in this embodiment, B is a monocyclic aromatic ring containing at least one substituent which is also a monocyclic aromatic ring.

The present invention also provides compounds which are useful in inhibiting IMPDH. According to one embodiment, the IMPDH inhibitory compound has the formula (III):

wherein A, B and D are as defined above;

-   E is oxygen or sulfur; and -   G and G′ are independently selected from R¹ or hydrogen.

According to an alternate embodiment, the invention provides a compound of the formula (IV):

wherein B, D, E, G and G′ are defined as above and B′ is a saturated, unsaturated or partially saturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring system optionally comprising up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S and selected from the formulae:

wherein each X is the number of hydrogen atoms necessary to complete proper valence;

-   and B′ optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, wherein:     -   the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹,         R², R⁴ or R⁵,     -   the second of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹         or R⁴, and     -   the third of said substituents, if present, is R¹; wherein X,         R¹, R², R⁴ and R⁵ are defined as above.

Excluded from this invention are compounds of formula (IV) wherein B and B′ are simultaneously unsubstituted phenyl and compounds wherein B is unsubstituted phenyl and B′ is tri-chloro-, tri-bromo or tri-iodo phenyl.

Preferably, in compounds of formula (IV), B and B′ are phenyl groups comprising at least one substituent each. These compounds are represented by formula (V):

wherein K is selected from R¹ or R⁴; and J is selected from R¹, R² or R⁴.

Preferred compounds of formula (V) are those wherein D is —C(O)—, those wherein E is oxygen; those wherein J is NR⁶C(O)R⁵ or NR⁶C(O)R⁶, preferably NR⁶C(O)R⁶, more preferably N(CH₃)C(O)R⁶, and more preferably N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃; those wherein K is (CH₂)_(n)—Y, preferably OCH₃ (i.e., n is 0, Y is OR⁶, and R⁶ is CH₃); and those wherein G is hydrogen. More preferred compounds of formula (V) are those wherein:

-   -   E is oxygen     -   J is NR⁶C(O)R⁵ or NR⁶C(O)R⁶;     -   K is (CH₂)_(n)—Y; and     -   G is hydrogen.         Even more preferred compounds of formula (V) are those wherein:     -   D is —C(O)—;     -   E is oxygen;     -   J is NR⁶C(O)R⁶;     -   K is OCH₃; and     -   G is hydrogen.         Most preferably in such compounds, J is N(CH₃)C(O)R⁶.

Alternate preferred compounds are those of formula V: wherein J is R², those wherein D is —C(O)—, those wherein E is oxygen, those wherein J is R substituted with R⁴, preferably wherein R⁴ is NR⁶C(O)OR⁵ or NR⁶C(O)OR⁶, more preferably wherein R is NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, more preferably wherein R⁴ is NHC(O)OR⁵, and more preferably wherein R is NHC(O)O-3-tetrahydrofuranyl, those wherein K is (CH₂)_(n)—Y, preferably wherein K is OCH₃, those wherein G is hydrogen, and those wherein:

-   -   D is —C(O)—;     -   E is oxygen;     -   K is OCH₃; and     -   G is hydrogen.

Alternatively, other preferred compounds include those of formula VI:

those compounds of formula VI wherein K is OCH₃, and those compounds of formula VI wherein G is hydrogen.

An alternate embodiment of this invention is compounds of formula V wherein K is selected from R¹ or R⁴; and J is selected from R¹, R², R⁴, and R⁹ wherein, R¹, R², and R⁴, are as defined above and R⁹ is independently selected from (C₁-C₄)-straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄)-straight or branched alkenyl or alkynyl; and each R⁹ optionally comprises up to 2 substituents selected from NR⁶C(O)OR¹⁰, wherein R⁶ is as defined above and R¹⁰ is selected from (C₁-C₅)— straight or branched alkyl optionally comprising up to two substituents selected from NR R⁸, SR⁶, SO₂R⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)—SR⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)—OR⁶, and OR⁶, wherein n, R⁶ and R⁸, are as defined above.

In another embodiment, preferred compounds are those of formula VII:

wherein K is selected from R¹ and R⁴; and

-   A, D, R¹ and R⁴ are each independently as defined in claim 1.

More preferred compounds of formula VII are those wherein D is —C(O)—, those wherein A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with 1-2 substituents selected from the group consisting of NR⁶C(O)R⁶, NR⁶C(O)R⁵, CH₂NR⁶C(O)OR⁶, and CH₂NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, those wherein A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with 1-2 substituents selected from the group consisting of CH₂NR⁶C(O)OR⁶ and CH₂NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, those A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with CH₂NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, those wherein A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with CH₂NHC(O)OR⁵′ those wherein A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with CH₂NHC(O)O-3-tetrahydrofuryl, those wherein K is (CH₂)_(n)—Y, those wherein K is OCH₃, and those wherein:

-   -   A is a monocyclic aromatic ring substituted with         CH₂NHC(O)O-3-tetrahydrofuryl; and     -   K is OCH₃.

Alternatively, other preferred compounds of this invention include those compounds of formula VIII:

-   -   wherein D and K are as defined in claim 1.

Another embodiment is those compounds of formula IX:

wherein:

-   -   D is selected from C(O), C(S) and S(O)₂;     -   K is selected from R¹ and R⁴; and     -   J is selected from R¹, R², and R⁴.

More preferred compounds of formula IX include those wherein D is —C(O)—, those wherein J is NR⁶C(O)R⁵ or NR⁶C(O)R⁶′ those wherein J is NR⁶C(O)R⁶′ those wherein J is N(CH₃)C(O)R⁶′ those wherein J is N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃, those wherein K is (CH₂)_(n)—Y, those wherein K is OCH₃, and those wherein:

-   -   K is OCH₃; and     -   J is N(CH₃)C(O)CH₃.

Tables IA, IB and IIB list preferred individual compounds of the invention and preferred compounds employed in the compositions and methods of this invention. Table IIA lists preferred compounds employed in the methods of this invention. TABLE IA

# G K A 1 H H benzyl

TABLE IB

# G K B′ 2 H H 3-methoxyphenyl 3 H H 3-thienyl 4 H H 3,4-difluorophenyl 5 H H 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl 6 H H 3-methylthiophenyl 7 H H 3-bromophenyl 8 H H 3-cyanophenyl 9 H H 3-trifluoromethyl-4- chlorophenyl 10 H H 2-methyl-3-chlorophenyl 11 H H 2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl 12 H H 2-methoxyphenyl 13 H H 3-methoxyphenyl 14 H H 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl 15 H H 3-nitrophenyl 16 H H 4-nitrophenyl 17 H H 3-methylphenyl 18 H H 3-trifluoromethylphenyl 19 H H 2-trifluoromethylphenyl 20 H H 3-fluorophenyl 21 H H 4-phenoxyphenyl 22 H H 3-chlorophenyl 23 H H 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl 24 H H 3-aminophenyl 25 H H 3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl 26 H H 3-acetylenylphenyl 27 H H 3-hydroxyphenyl 29 H H 3-pyridinyl 30 H H 4-pyridinyl 31 H H 2-(5-methyl)thiazolyl 39 H H 3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl 40 H H 3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl 41 H H 3-trifluoromethyl-4- nitrophenyl 42 H 3-chloro phenyl 43 H 3-chloro 3-methylphenyl 44 — — — 45 H 3-fluoro phenyl 46 H 3-fluoro 3-methylphenyl 47 H H 3-carbomethoxymethylphenyl 48 H H 3-carboxyethylphenyl 49 H H 3-dimethylaminophenyl 50 H H 3-[2-(2- methyl)dioxolanyl]phenyl 51 H H 3-aminocarbonylphenyl 53 H H 3-(3-furanyl)-phenyl 54 H H 3-carboxymethylphenyl 55 H 3-methoxy 3-methylphenyl 56 H 3-methoxy 3-nitrophenyl 57 H 3-chloro 3-carbomethoxymethylphenyl 58 H H 3-amino-5-methylphenyl 59 H 3-methoxy 3-aminophenyl 60 H 3-bromo 3-methylphenyl 61 H 3-chloro 3-chloro-4-(5- oxazolyl)phenyl 62 H 3-chloro 4-(2-methylpyridyl) 63 H 3-chloro 3-carboxymethylphenyl 64 H 3-bromo 3-nitrophenyl 65 H 3-bromo 3-aminophenyl 66 H H 3-[5-(2- methylpyrimidinyl)]phenyl 67 H H 3-(5-oxazolyl)phenyl 68 H 3-chloro 2-thienyl 69 H 3-chloro 3-thienyl 71 H 3-chloro 3-methoxycarbamoyl-phenyl 72 H 3-chloro 3-acetamidophenyl 73 H 3-chloro 3-iodophenyl 74 H 3-methyl phenyl 75 H 3-methyl 3-methylphenyl 76 methyl 3-chloro 3-methylphenyl 77 methyl H 3-methylphenyl 78 H 3-chloro 3-nitrophenyl 79 H 3-chloro 3-aminophenyl 80 H H 3- (cyclohexylsulfamoyl)phenyl 81 H H 3-(methylsufamoyl)phenyl 82 H H 3-(phenylsufamoyl)phenyl 83 H 3-methoxy 3-benzyloxycarbamoyl-phenyl 84 H 3-methoxy 3-acetamidophenyl 85 H 3-chloro 4-(2-methyl)furanyl 86 H 3-chloro 5-(2-methyl)thienyl 88 H 3-carbomethoxy 3-methylphenyl 89 H 3-carbomethoxy 3-nitrophenyl 91 H 3-chloro 4-(2-nitro)thienyl 92 H 3-chloro 4-(2-hydroxyamino)thienyl 93 H 3-chloro 3-(N- methyl)trifluoroacetamido- phenyl 94 H 3-chloro 3-(methylamino)phenyl 95 H 3-chloro 4-(2-amino)thienyl 96 H 3-methoxy 3-trifluoroacetamidophenyl 97 H 3-methoxy 3-(N- methyl)trifluoroacetamido- phenyl 98 H 3-methoxy 3-(3′- picolyloxycarbamoyl)phenyl 99 H 3-methoxy 3-(phenoxycarbamoyl)phenyl 100 H 3-methoxy 3-difluoroacetamidophenyl 101 H 3- 3-methylphenyl acetoxymethyl 102 H 3- 3-methylphenyl hydroxymethyl 104 H H 3-nitro-4-fluorophenyl 105 H 3-methoxy 3-(aminomethyl)phenyl [·TFA] 106 H 3-methoxy 5-(N-acetoxy)indolinyl 107 H 3-methoxy 3-(N-methyl)acetamidophenyl 108 H 3-methoxy 3-[(2-oxo-2-(3,4,5-tri- methoxyphenyl)acetyl) amino]phenyl 109 H 3-amino 3-methylphenyl 110 H 3-methoxy 3-benzamidophenyl 111 H 3-methoxy 3-phenylacetamidophenyl 112 H 3-methoxy 3-phenylureidophenyl 113 H 3-methoxy 3-(t-butoxycarbamoyl methyl)phenyl 114 H 3-methoxy 3-(cyclopentylacetamido) phenyl 115 H 3-methoxy 3-methylphenyl

TABLE IC

Compound L 116 NHC(O)O-t-butyl 117 NCH₃C(O)O-t-butyl 118 NHC(O)O-methyl 119 NHC(O)O-phenyl 120 NHC(O)O-(S)-3-tetrahydrofuranyl 121 NHC(O)O-2-picolinyl 122 NHC(O)O-(S)-5-oxazolidinonylmethyl 123 NHC(O)O-4-carbomethoxyphenyl 124 NHC(O)O-isobutyl 125 NHC(O)O-allyl 126 NHC(O)O-5-(1,3-dioxanyl) 127 NHC(O)O-4-acetamidophenyl 128 NHC(O)O-2-furfuryl 129 NHC(O)O-2-thiofurfuryl 130 NHC(O)O-2-methoxyethyl 131 NHC(O)O-4-tetrahydropyranyl 132 NHC(O)O-cyclohexyl 133 NHC(O)O-cyclopentyl 134 NRC(O)O-2-hydroxyethyl 135 NHC(O)O-cyclohexylmethyl 136 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-3-tetrahydrofuranyl 137 NHC(O)O-3-pyridyl 138 NHC(O)O-benzyl 139 NHC(O)O-3-(tBOC-amino)propyl 140 NHC(O)O-4-hydroxybutyl 141 NHC(O)O-5-hydroxypentyl 142 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-2-pyranyl 143 NHC(O)O-3-(N-tBOC)-piperidinyl 144 NHC(O)O-(R)-3-(2-oxo-4,4- dimethyl)furanyl 145 NHC(O)O-3-methylthiopropyl 146 NHC(O)O-4-[(2,2-dimethyl)-1,3- dioxanyl]methyl 147 NHC(O)O-2-di-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl 148 NHC(O)O-4-(N-tBOC)-piperidinylmethyl 149 NHC(O)O-3-(N-tBOC)-piperidinylmethyl 150 NHC(O)O-(dibenzyloxymethyl)methyl 151 NHC(O)O-di-(hydroxymethyl)methyl 152 NHC(O)O-2-(N-tBOC)-piperidinylmethyl 153 NHC(O)O-3-piperidinyl-TFA 154 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-(2- tetrahydropyranyl)methyl 155 NHC(O)O-4-piperidiriylmethyl-TFA 156 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl 157 NHC(O)O-3-methylsulfonylpropyl 158 NHC(O)O-3-piperidinylmethyl-TFA 159 NHC(O)O-2-piperidinylmethyl-TFA 160 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-3-tetrahydrothiophenyl 161 NHC(O)O-(R,S)-3-tetrahydrothiopyranyl 162 NHC(O)O-3-methoxypropyl

TABLE IIA

# Q¹ Q² B 28 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 3-methylphenyl 32 3-nitro H 3-methylphenyl 33 4-cyano H 3-methylphenyl 34 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 3-bromophenyl 35 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 2-methoxy-5- chlorophenyl 36 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 3-fluorophenyl 37 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 3-ethylphenyl 38 3-methoxy 4-methoxy 3-methylthiophenyl 52 3-chloro 4-methoxy 3-nitrophenyl 70 4-cyano 3-chloro 3-methylphenyl 87 1-imidazolyl H 3-methylphenyl 90 3-hydroxymethyl 4-methoxy 3-methylphenyl 103 3-(t-butoxycarbamoyl H 3-(t-butoxycarbamoyl methyl) methyl)phenyl

TABLE IIB

# Q₁ Q₃ 163 Cl N(Me)(Ac) 164 OMe N(Me)(Ac) 165 SMe CH₂NHC(O)O-(3s)- tetrahydrofuranyl 166 S(O)₂Me N(Me)(Ac) 167 OMe N(Me)(Ac) 168 SMe CH₂NHC(O)O-(3s)- tetrahydrofuranyl

The compounds of Table IIA correspond to compounds of formula (II) wherein one of said B components is phenyl with two substituents, Q¹ and Q². In accordance with formula (II):

-   -   Q¹ is selected from R¹, R², R⁴ or R⁵; and     -   Q² is selected from R¹ or R⁴.

The compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and thus may occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. All such isomeric forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention. Each stereogenic carbon may be of the R or S configuration.

Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are only those that result in the formation of stable compounds. The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintains the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic administration to a mammal or for use in affinity chromatography applications). Typically, such compounds are stable at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

As used herein, the compounds of this invention, including the compounds of formulae I-IX, are defined to include pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives or prodrugs thereof. A “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or prodrug” means any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, salt of an ester, or other derivative of a compound of this invention which, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of this invention. Particularly favored derivatives and prodrugs are those that increase the bioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compounds are administered to a mammal (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or which enhance delivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., the brain or lymphatic system) relative to the parent species. Preferred prodrugs include derivatives where a group which enhances aqueous solubility or active transport through the gut membrane is appended to the structure of formulae I-IK.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of suitable acid salts include acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, salicylate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate and undecanoate. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g., sodium), alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium), ammonium and N—(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₄ ⁺ salts. This invention also envisions the quaternization of any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed herein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products may be obtained by such quaternization.

The compounds of this invention may be synthesized using conventional techniques. Advantageously, these compounds are conveniently synthesized from readily available starting materials.

In general, compounds of formula (I)-(IX) are conveniently obtained via methods illustrated in General Synthetic Schemes 1-3.

In General Synthetic Scheme 1 (see below), an X-substituted aniline is reacted with a Y-substituted phenylisocyanate under standard conditions to give the desired urea. In this process, X and Y may be one or more independent substituents (or their suitably protected variants) as exemplified by the ring substituents listed for compounds of formulae I-IX above, at any position on the aromatic ring.

In General Synthetic Scheme 2 (see above), a substituted benzaldehyde (here, 2-methoxy-4-nitro-substituted) is treated sequentially with tosylmethylisocyanide, to give the resulting oxazole, then reduced by catalytic hydrogenation to give the desired aniline. Reaction of this aniline with an isocyanate (here, m-tolylisocyanate) under standard conditions gives the desired urea.

An alternate synthetic route is illustrated in General Synthetic Scheme 3 (see above). A substituted benzaldehyde (here 4-nitro substituted) is converted to the corresponding oxazolyl aniline as shown in General Synthetic Scheme 2. This aniline is treated with a substituted benzoic acid (here, 3-methyl-substituted) and a carboxylic acid activating agent, such as diphenylphosphoryl azide, under standard reaction conditions, to give the desired urea.

As can be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the above synthetic schemes are not intended to comprise a comprehensive list of all means by which the compounds described and claimed in this application may be synthesized. Further methods will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the various synthetic steps described above may be performed in an alternate sequence or order to give the desired compounds.

The compounds of this invention may be modified by appending appropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties. Such modifications are known in the art and include those which increase biological penetration into a given biological compartment (e.g., blood, lymphatic system, central nervous system), increase oral availability, increase solubility to allow administration by injection, alter metabolism and alter rate of excretion.

The novel compounds of the present invention are excellent ligands for IMPDH. Accordingly, these compounds are capable of targeting and inhibiting IMPDH enzyme. Inhibition can be measured by various methods, including, for example, IMP dehydrogenase HPLC assays (measuring enzymatic production of XMP and NADH from IMP and NAD) and IMP dehydrogenase spectrophotometric assays (measuring enzymatic production of NADH from NAD). [See C. Montero et al., Clinica Chimica Acta, 238, pp. 169-178 (1995)].

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention comprise a compound of formulae (I), (II) or (VII) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; an additional agent selected from an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, antiinflammatory agent, antifungal agent, antibiotic, or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation compound; and any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. Alternate compositions of this invention comprise a compound of formulae (III)-(IX) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. Such composition may optionally comprise an additional agent selected from an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, antiinflammatory agent, antifungal agent, antibiotic, or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation compound.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvant” refers to a carrier or adjuvant that may be administered to a patient, together with a compound of this invention, and which does not destroy the pharmacological activity thereof and is nontoxic when administered in doses sufficient to deliver a therapeutic amount of the compound.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) such as dα-tocopherol polyethyleneglycol 1000 succinate, surfactants used in pharmaceutical dosage forms such as Tweens or other similar polymeric delivery matrices, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, polyethylene glycol and wool fat. Cyclodextrins such as α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin, or chemically modified derivatives such as hydroxyalkylcyclodextrins, including 2- and 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrins, or other solubilized derivatives may also be advantageously used to enhance delivery of compounds of formulae I-IX.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir. We prefer oral administration or administration by injection. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may contain any conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, adjuvants or vehicles. In some cases, the pH of the formulation may be adjusted with pharmaceutically acceptable acids, bases or buffers to enhance the stability of the formulated compound or its delivery form. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intraarterial, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation, for example, as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents (such as, for example, Tween 80) and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are mannitol, water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant such as those described in Pharmacopeia Helvetica, Ph. Helv., or a similar alcohol, or carboxymethyl celluose or similar dispersing agents which are commonly used in the formulation of pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms such as emulsions and or suspensions Other commonly used surfactants such as Tweens or Spans and/or other similar emulsifying agents or bioavailability enhancers which are commonly used in the manufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or other dosage forms may also be used for the purposes of formulation.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, emulsions and aqueous suspensions, dispersions and solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueous suspensions and/or emulsions are administered orally, the active ingredient may be suspended or dissolved in an oily phase is combined with emulsifying and/or suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring and/or coloring agents may be added.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. These compositions can be prepared by mixing a compound of this invention with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the active components. Such materials include, but are not limited to, cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

Topical administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention is especially useful when the desired treatment involves areas or organs readily accessible by topical application. For application topically to the skin, the pharmaceutical composition should be formulated with a suitable ointment containing the active components suspended or dissolved in a carrier. Carriers for topical administration of the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid petroleum, white petroleum, propylene glycol, polyoxy-ethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition can be formulated with a suitable lotion or cream containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier with suitable emulsifying agents. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be topically applied to the lower intestinal tract by rectal suppository formulation or in a suitable enema formulation. Topically-transdermal patches are also included in this invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art.

Dosage levels of between about 0.01 and about 100 mg/kg body weight per day, preferably between about 0.5 and about 75 mg/kg body weight per day of the IMPDH inhibitory compounds described herein are useful in a monotherapy and/or in combination therapy for the prevention and treatment of IMPDH mediated disease. Typically, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will be administered from about 1 to about 5 times per day or alternatively, as a continuous infusion. Such administration can be used as a chronic or acute therapy. The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. A typical preparation will contain from about 5% to about 95% active compound (w/w). Preferably, such preparations contain from about 20% to about 80% active compound.

When the compositions of this invention comprise a combination of an IMPDH inhibitor of formulae (I)-(IX) and one or more additional therapeutic or prophylactic agents, both the IMPDH inhibitor and the additional agent should be present at dosage levels of between about 10 to 100%, and more preferably between about 10 to 80% of the dosage normally administered in a monotherapy regimen. The additional agents may be administered separately, as part of a multiple dose regimen, from the compounds of this invention. Alternatively, those agents may be part of a single dosage form, mixed together with the compounds of this invention in a single composition.

According to one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention comprise an additional immunosuppression agent. Examples of additional immunosuppression agents include, but are not limited to, cyclosporin A, FK506, rapamycin, leflunomide, deoxyspergualin, prednisone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, OKT3, ATAG, interferon and mizoribine.

According to an alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may additionally comprise an anti-cancer agent. Examples of anti-cancer agents include, but are not limited to, cis-platin, actinomycin D, doxorubicin, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, amsacrine, mitoxantrone, tenipaside, taxol, colchicine, cyclosporin A, phenothiazines, interferon and thioxantheres.

According to another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may additionally comprise an anti-viral agent. Examples of anti-viral agents include, but are not limited to, Cytovene, Ganciclovir, trisodium phosphonoformate, Ribavirin, d4T, ddI, AZT, and acyclovir.

According to yet another alternate embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may additionally comprise an anti-vascular hyperproliferative agent. Examples of anti-vascular hyperproliferative agents include, but are not limited to, HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors such as lovastatin, thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitors, eicosapentanoic acid, ciprostene, trapidil, ACE inhibitors, low molecular weight heparin, mycophenolic acid, rapamycin and 5-(3′-pyridinylmethyl)benzofuran-2-carboxylate.

Upon improvement of a patient's condition, a maintenance dose of a compound, composition or combination of this invention may be administered, if necessary. Subsequently, the dosage or frequency of administration, or both, may be reduced, as a function of the symptoms, to a level at which the improved condition is retained when the symptoms have been alleviated to the desired level, treatment should cease. Patients may, however, require intermittent treatment on a long-term basis upon any recurrence of disease symptoms.

As the skilled artisan will appreciate, lower or higher doses than those recited above may be required. Specific dosage and treatment regimens for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health status, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity and course of the infection, the patient's disposition to the infection and the judgment of the treating physician.

In an alternate embodiment, this invention provides methods of treating or preventing IMPDH mediated disease in a a mammal comprising the step of administrating to said mammal any of the pharmaceutical compositions and combinations described above. If the pharmaceutical composition only comprises the IMPDH inhibitor of this invention as the active component, such methods may additionally comprise the step of administering to said mammal an agent selected from an antiinflammatory agent, immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation compound. Such additional agent may be administered to the mammal prior to, concurrently with, or following the administration of the IMPDH inhibitor composition.

In a preferred embodiment, these methods are useful in suppressing an immune response in a mammal. Such methods are useful in treating or preventing diseases, including, transplant rejection (e.g., kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas (islet cells), bone marrow, cornea, small bowel and skin allografts and heart valve xenografts), graft versus host disease, and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitus), lupus, diabetes, mellitus myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, seborrhoea, pulmonary inflammation, eye uveitis, hepatitis, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Behcet's or Sjorgen's syndrome (dry eyes/mouth), pernicious or immunohaemolytic anaemia, idiopathic adrenal insufficiency, polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, glomerulonephritis, scleroderma, lichen planus, viteligo (depigmentation of the skin), autoimmune thyroiditis, and alveolitis.

These methods comprise the step of administering to the mammal a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I-IX and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment, this particular method comprises the additional step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising an additional immunosuppressant and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

Alternatively, this method comprises the step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising a compound of formulae I-IX; an additional immunosuppressive agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, these methods are useful for inhibiting viral replication in a mammal. Such methods are useful in treating or preventing, DNA and RNA viral diseases caused by, for example, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, HIV-1 and HIV-2, nasopharyngeal carcinoma virus, HBV, HCV, HGV, yellow fever virus, dengue fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, human papilloma virus, rhinoviruses and Herpes viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, cytomegaloviruses and Herpes Simplex, Types 1 and 2, or Type 6. [See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,879].

These methods comprise the step of administering to the mammal a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I-IX, and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment, this particular method comprises the additional step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising an additional anti-viral agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

Alternatively, this method comprises the step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising a compound of formulae I-IX; an additional anti-viral agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

In another alternate preferred embodiment, these methods are useful for inhibiting vascular cellular hyperproliferation in a mammal. Such methods are useful in treating or preventing diseases, including, restenosis, stenosis, artherosclerosis and other hyperproliferative vascular disease.

These methods comprise the step of administering to the mammal a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I-IX, and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment, this particular method comprises the additional step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising an additional anti-vascular hyperproliferative agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

Alternatively, this method comprises the step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising a compound of formulae I-IX; an additional anti-vascular hyperproliferative agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

In another alternate preferred embodiment, these methods are useful for inhibiting tumors and cancer in a mammal. Such methods are useful in treating or preventing diseases, including, tumors and malignancies, such as lymphoma, leukemia and other forms of cancer.

These methods comprise the step of administering to the mammal a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I-IX, and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment, this particular method comprises the additional step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising an additional anti-tumor or anti-cancer agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

Alternatively, this method comprises the step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising a compound of formulae I-IX; an additional anti-tumor or anti-cancer agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

In another alternate preferred embodiment, these methods are useful for inhibiting inflammation and inflammatory diseases in a mammal. Such methods are useful in treating or preventing diseases, including, osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

These methods comprise the step of administering to the mammal a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I-IX, and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment, this particular method comprises the additional step of administering to said mammal a composition comprising an antiinflammatory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.

In order that this invention be more fully understood, the following examples are set forth. These examples are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

General Materials and Methods

All temperatures are recorded in degrees Celsius. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out using 0.25 mm thick E. Merck silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates and elution with the indicated solvent system. Detection of the compounds was carried out by treating the plate with an appropriate visualizing agent, such as 10% solution of phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol or a 0.1% solution of ninhydrin in ethanol, followed by heating, and/or by exposure to UV light or iodine vapors when appropriate. Analytical HPLC was carried out using a Rainin Mycrosorb-MV, 5μ Cyano reverse phase column, 3.9 mm×150 mm, with a flow rate of 11.0 mL/minute and a solvent gradient of 5-100% acetonitrile (0.1% TFA) in water (0.1% TFA). HPLC retention times were recorded in minutes. NMR spectral data was acquired using a Bruker AMX500 in the indicated solvent.

The IMP dehydrogenase HPLC assay follows our standard conditions for the enzymatic production of XMP and NADH from IMP and NAD, but utilizes high pressure liquid chromatography on a C18 column with ion pairing reagents to separate all four components. The extent of reaction is then determined from the resulting product peak areas. This assay is particularly useful for determining the inhibition profiles of compounds which have significant absorbance in the UV-visible region between 290 and 340 nM.

The reaction mixture typically contains 0.1 M KPi; pH 8.0, 0.1M KCl, 0.5 mM EDTA, 2 mM DTT, and 0.2 mM each of IMP and NAD. This solution is incubated at 37° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction is started by the addition of enzyme to a final concentration of 20 to 100 nM, and is allowed to proceed for 10 minutes. After the allotted time, the reaction is quenched by the addition of mycophenolic acid to a final concentration of 0.01 mM.

The extent of conversion is monitored by HPLC using a Rainin Microsorb ODS column C18-200 of dimensions 4.6×10 mm and a solvent system containing tetrabutylammonium sulfate (5 mM) in 0.1 M KPi pH 6.0 with a 0-30% methanol gradient over 15 minutes. A similar solvent system has been used previously for the purification of halo-IMP derivatives. [L. C. Antionio and J. C. Wu, Biochemistry, 33, 1753-1759 (1994).] A UV-monitor set at 254 nM is used to detect the four components, and the product peaks are integrated to determine the extent of conversion of the substrates.

For the analysis of inhibitors, the compound in question is dissolved in DMSO to a final concentration of 20 mM and added to the initial assay mixture at the desired concentration in a volume of 2-5% (v/v). The reaction is started by the addition of enzyme and after 10 minutes is quenched as above. After HPLC analysis, the product areas are used to determine the extent of conversion relative to a control assay containing only DMSO and no test compound. IC50 or Ki values are determined from non linear least squares fitting of conversion vs concentration curves to the tight-binding equations of Henderson. [P. J. F. Henderson, Biochem. J., 127, 321 (1972).]

We have measured the inhibition constants of each compound against IMPDH using an adaptation of the method first reported by Magasanik. [B. Magasanik, H. S. Moyed, and L. B. Gehring J. Biol. Chem., 226, p. 339 (1957)].

Insofar as compounds of formulae I-IX are able to inhibit IMPDH, they are of evident clinical utility for the treatment of IMPDH mediated disease. These tests are predictive of the compounds ability to inhibit IMPDH in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

Synthesis of Representative Examples:

Example 1

To a solution of 25 mg (156 μmole) 4-(5-oxazolyl)-aniline in 250 μL CH₂Cl₂ was added 50 μL (400 μ-mole) of benzyl isocyanate at ambient temperature. After stirring overnight, 1 was isolated in pure form by filtration with a 3:1 hexanes/CH₂Cl₂ rinse in a yield of 21 mg (46%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.86(s), 7.55(d), 7.38(d), 7.22-7.35(m), 6.39(s), 5.0(br s), 4.43(s). R_(f) 0.30 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂)

Example 2

To a solution of glacial acetic acid (46 mL), acetic anhydride (46 mL, 485 mmole) and 2-chloro-4-nitrotoluene (5 g, 29.1 mmole) at 0° C. was added conc. H₂SO₄ (6.9 mL) in a dropwise fashion. Upon complete addition, CrO₃ (8.08 g, 80.8 mmole) was added portion-wise over 60 mins. Following an additional 15 mins of stirring at 0° C., the reaction mixture was poured over ice and the resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration, rinsing with cold H₂O. Purification by flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 15-50% EtOAc in hexanes, provided 2.02 g (24%, 40% based on recovered starting material) B1 as a white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

Compound B1 was dissolved in 1:1 ethanol/water (20 mL), treated with conc. H₂SO₄ (2 mL) and refluxed for 1 hour. Upon cooling to ambient temperature, the reaction was extracted 3×'s with diethyl ether. The ethereal solution was washed twice with water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yield a yellow solid. Purified product was obtained through two recrystallizations from hot Et₂O/hexanes, yielding 620 mg (47.6%) B2 as a lightly yellowed crystalline solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A mixture of B2 (200 mg, 1.2 mmol), tosylmethyl isocyanide (236 mg, 1.2 mmol), and powdered K₂CO₃ (172 mg, 1.2 mmole) in methanol (13 mL) was heated at reflux for 90 minutes and then stirred overnight at ambient temperature. Upon concentration to dryness, the mixture was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ and water. The organics were separated, washed with 0.5N HCl, water and brine and then dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was removed in vacuo to provide a crude yellow solid. Purified product B3 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 0-2.5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂, and recrystallization (CH₂Cl₂/hexanes) in a yield of 3.3 g (68%) as a light yellow crystalline solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of B3 (150 mg, 0.67 mmole) in ethanol (7.5 mL) was treated with SnCl₂.2H₂O (excess; ca. 5 equivalents) and heated at reflux for 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with diethyl ether and partitioned with 2N NaOH. The organics were separated, washed with water and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Purified product B4 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 0-0.5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂, in a yield of 54 mg (41.5%) as a light yellow oil. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

To a solution of 20 mg (103 μmmole) B4 in 1 mL CH₂Cl₂ was added 20 μm-tolylisocyanate at ambient temperature. After stirring overnight, 43 was isolated in pure form by filtration with an EtOAc/hexanes rinse in a yield of 25 mg (74%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 9.06 (s), 8.73 (s), 8.50 (s), 7.89 (s), 7.73 (d), 7.67 (s), 7.42 (d), 7.31 (s), 7.23 (d), 7.18 (t), 6.82 (d), 2.27 (s). R_(f) 0.28 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 3

C1 (8.14 g, 51%) was prepared from 2-methyl-5-nitroanisole (10.0 g, 60 mmole) in a fashion directly analogous to the preparation of B1 as described above. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A stirred suspension of C1 (81.94 g, 307 mmole) in dioxane (100 mL) was treated with concentrated HCl (20 mL) and heated at reflux overnight. Upon cooling to ambient temperature, the product C2 precipitated as a light yellow crystalline solid in a yield of 40.65 g (73.1%). The filtrate was concentrated to a volume of ca. 80 mL and a second crop of product crystals was driven from solution by the addition of hexanes, yielding 8.91 g (16.0%). Both batches were identical by ¹H NMR and TLC analysis and were consistent with that of the desired material. The total yield of C2 was 49.56 g (89.1%).

A solution of C2 (456 mg, 2.51 mmole), tosylmethyl isocyanide (490 mg, 2.51 mmole) and K₂CO₃ (347 mg, 251 mmole) were dissolved in methanol and heated to reflux for 1.5 hours. The product mixture was then concentrated in vacuo, redissolved in CH₂Cl₂, washed with water and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and again concentrated in vacuo. Purified product C3 was obtained through recrystallization (Et₂O/hexanes) to yield 375 mg (68%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of C3 (4.214 g, 19.1 mmole) in EtOAc (150 mL) was treated with 10% Pd/C (1.05 g, 25 wt. % of C3) and subjected to 40 psi H₂(g) (Parr Hydrogenation Apparatus) overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Pure product C4 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 30-40% EtOAc/hexanes, in a yield of 3.4 g (93%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

To a solution of C4 (25 mg, 0.131 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 mL) was added toll isocyanate (25 μL, 0.197 mmole) at ambient temperature. After stirring overnight, 56 was isolated in pure form by filtration with a CH₂Cl₂ rinse in a yield of 42 mg (74%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 8.87 (s), 8.64 (s), 8.37 (s), 7.60 (d), 7.46 (d), 7.42 (s), 7.33 (s), 7.23 (d), 7.16-7.19 (t), 7.05 (dd), 6.80 (d), 3.92 (s), 2.28 (s). R_(f) 0.46 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂)

Example 4

To a solution of C4 (75 mg, 0.394 mmole) in dichloroethane (5 mL) was added 3-nitrophenyl isocyanate (97 mg, 0.591 mmole) at ambient temperature. After stirring overnight, D1 was isolated in pure form by filtration with a CH₂Cl₂ rinse in a yield of 110.3 mg (79%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

To a stirred suspension of D1 (95 mg, 0.268 mmole) in EtOH (20 mL) was added SnCl₂.2H₂O (302 mg, 1.34 mmole). The reaction mixture was brought to reflux, at which time dissolution occurred, for 1.5 hours. The solution was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with EtOAc, washed with 2N NaOH and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure product 59 was obtained through flash chromatography (eluting with a gradient of 2.5-5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂), followed by selective crystallization of the desired material from slightly impure fractions in a yield of 15.7 mg (18%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 8.83 (s), 8.44 (s), 8.35 (s), 7.59 (d), 7.48 (d), 7.40 (s), 6.97-7.04 (dd), 6.86-6.92 (t), 6.83 (d), 6.54 (dd), 6.20 (dd), 5.05 (br s), 3.92 (s). R_(f) 0.20 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 5

A solution of 3-aminobenzylamine (826 mg, 6.87 mmole) and triethylamine (2.39 mL, 17.18 mmole) was treated with di-t-butyldicarbonate (1.50 g, 6.87 mmole) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. The reaction was then diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with NaHCO₃(aq), water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure E1 was obtained by flash chromatography, eluting with 25% EtOAc in hexanes in a yield of 200 mg (46%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of C4 (150 mg, 0.789 mmole) and 1,1-dicarbonylimidiazole (160 mg, 0.986 mmole) were combined in THF (5 mL) and stirred for 6 hours at ambient temperature. The precipitation of imidazole was noted. To this was then added E1 (351 mg, 1.58 mmole) and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (97 mg, 0.789 mmole) and the mixture was refluxed overnight, resulting in a homogenous solution. Upon cooling to ambient temperature, the reaction was diluted with EtOAc (20 mL), washed with KHSO₄(aq), water, and brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. Pure 113 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 20-30-35% acetone in hexanes in a yield of 164 mg (47%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 8.90 (s), 8.75 (s), 8.38 (s), 7.60 (d), 7.51 (s), 7.3-7.46 (m), 7.21-7.27 (t), 7.05 (dd), 6.87 (d), 4.12 (d), 3.93 (s), 1.44 (s). R_(f) 0.21 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 6

A solution of 3-chloro-4-cyanoaniline (500 mg, 7.76 mmole) and m-tolylisocyanate (11.0 mL, 3.17 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated and pure 70 was obtained through MPLC, eluting with 1% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂, in a yield of 285 mg (31%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 9.36 (s), 8.88 (s), 7.94 (s), 7.83 (d), 7.44 (d), 7.30 (s), 7.24 (d), 7.15-7.20 (t), 6.82 (d), 2.29 (s). R_(f) 0.36 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 7

To a solution of 3,4,5-trimethoxyacetophenone (9.2 g, 43.4 mmol) in pyridine (35 mL) was added selenium dioxide (6.3 g, 56.7 mmol) and the resulting solution was heated at reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered through celite and concentrated to yield a dark brown oil which was dissolved into ethyl acetate and washed with 1.0 N HCl and then with saturated NaHCO₃. The basic aqueous layer was diluted with ether and acidified with concentrated HCl. The layers were separated and the organic phase was washed with brine and then dried (Na₂SO₄) to give 8.4 g of a dark yellow solid. Recrystallization of this material from ethyl acetate-hexane then gave G1 (6.8 g) as a pale yellow solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A mixture of 59 (64 mg, 0.20 mmole), G1 (300 mg, 1.20 mmole) and EDC (300 mg, 1.6 mmole) in THF (5 mL) was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (150 mL), washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure 108 was obtained through MPLC, eluting with a gradient system of 0-1% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂, in a yield of 37.4 mg (35%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 9.83 (s), 8.23 (s), 8.18 (s), 7.65 (s), 7.61 (s), 7.35 (d), 7.33 (s), 7.29 (s), 7.27 (s), 7.11 (s), 7.06-7.10 (t), 6.94-6.99 (t), 6.52 (d)3.68 (s), 3.63 (s), 3.61(s). R_(f) 0.26 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 8

A solution of 59 (300 mg, 1.58 mmole) and m-toll isothiocyanate (2.0 mL, 14.7 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature overnight. To drive the reaction to completion, additional m-toll isothiocyanate (11.0 mL, 7.4 mmole) was added and the mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo and 115 was obtained in pure form through MPLC, eluting with 0-5% EtOAc in CH₂Cl₂, in a yield of 210 mg (39%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 7.90 (s), 7.89 (s), 7.82 (s), 7.75 (d), 7.64 (s) 7.44 (s), 7.32-7.37 (t), 7.27 (s), 7.13-7.21 (m), 6.91 (dd), 3.98 (s), 2.40 (s). R_(f) 0.36 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 9

A solution of nitroaniline (1.0 g, 7.13 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) was treated with pyridine (2.9 mL, 36 mmole) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (5 mL, 36 mmole) and stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The reaction was diluted further with CH₂Cl₂, washed with 1N HCl and brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to yield I1 (1.61 g, 95%) as a white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

To a slurry of NaH (60% oil dispersion; 34 mg, 1.42 mmole) in THF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of I1 (200 mg, 0.85 mmole) in THF (10 mL) and the mixture stirred for 1 hour. To this was added methyl iodide (100 μL, 1.7 mmole) and the mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc. The organics were separated, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure I2 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with 5% EtOAc in hexanes, in a yield of 163 mg (66%) as a yellow solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of I2 (163 mg, 0.66 mmole) in ethanol (5 mL) was treated with Pd/C (20 mg) and subjected to H₂ (1 atm.) for 3 hours. The reaction was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to yield I3 (120 mg, 84%) as a waxy solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

To a solution of triphosgene (31 mg, 0.104 mmole) in dichloroethane (1 mL) was added in a dropwise fashion a solution of B4 (50 mg, 0.260 mmole) and diisopropylethylamine (67 mg, 518 mmole) in dichloroethane (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 1 hour at ambient temperature, treated with I3 (50 mg, 0.230 mmole) and stirred overnight. The entire reaction mixture was subjected to flash chromatography, eluting with 1% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂, to provide pure 97 in a yield of 8 mg (7%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 9.20 (s), 8.98 (s), 8.39 (s), 7.67 (s), 7.63 (d), 7.48 (s), 7.38-7.45 (m), 7.04-7.10 (t), 3.95 (s), 3.31 (s). R_(f) 0.37 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 10 Synthesis of Compound 111

A solution of 59(50 mg, 0.154 mmole) and triethylamine (31 mg, 0.308 mmole) in DMF (0.5 mL) was treated in a dropwise fashion with phenylacetyl chloride (25 mg, 0.169 mmole) and the reaction stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with NaHCO₃(aq) and water, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Pure 111 was isolated by flash chromatography, eluting with 2% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂, in a yield of 42 mg (62%). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 10.20(s), 8.90 (s), 8.79 (s), 8.39 (s), 7.88 (s), 7.63 (d), 7.53 (d), 7.44 (s), 7.25-7.40 (m), 7.22 (t), 7.14 (d), 7.05 (dd), 3.96 (s), 3.66 (s). R_(f) 0.31 (5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂).

Example 11

A solution of 2-methyl-5-nitrobenzoic acid (15 g, 82.8 mmole) in DMF (75 mL) was treated with methyl iodide (6.7 mL, 107.64 mmole) followed by powdered K₂CO₃ (17.2 g, 124.2 mmole) (extreme exotherm) and the suspension stirred at ambient temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and water, the organics separated and washed with water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to yield K1 (15.86 g, 98%) in pure form as an off-white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

K2 (4.09 g, 16.2%) was prepared from K1 (15.86 g, 81.3 mmole) in a fashion analogous to the preparation of B1 as described above. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K2 (2.5 g, 8.03 mmole) in dioxane (10 mL) was treated with conc. HCl (0.5 mL) and the mixture was heated to reflux for 2 hours. Additional conc. HCl (0.5 mL) was added and the reaction refluxed for 3 hours longer. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K3 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 20-30-50% Et₂O in hexanes, in a yield of 1.14 g (68%). Also isolated was 215 mg (11.8%) of the hydrated aldehyde. The ¹H NMRs were consistent with that of the desired structures.

A solution of K3 (300 mg, 1.43 mmole) in benzene (5 mL) was treated with 1,3-propane diol (114 μL, 1.573 mmole) and p-TsOH.H₂O (27 mg, 0.14 mmole) and the mixture was refluxed with Dean-Stark removal of water for 4.5 hours. The reaction was cooled to ambient temperature, partitioned between EtOAc and dilute NaHCO₃, the organics separated, washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K4 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 20-25% Et₂O in hexanes, in a yield of 324 mg (84.5%) as an off-white crystalline solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K4 (289 mg, 1.08 mmole) in THF (5 mL) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with a solution of DIBAL (1.0M in CH₂Cl₂; 2.7 mL, 2.7 mmole) and stirred for 40 minutes. The reaction was quenched by addition of saturated Rochelle's salt solution (10 mL), diluted with EtOAc and stirred for 30 minutes. The organics were collected, washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give 250 mg (97%) of K5 as a white crystalline solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K5 (250 mg, 1.05 mmole) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) at 0° C. was treated with pyridine (110 μL, 1.37 mmole), benzoyl chloride (146 μL, 1.26 mmole) and 4-DMAP (catalytic), and stirred at ambient temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with 0.5N HCl, water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K6 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with 10% EtOAc in hexanes, in a yield of 340 mg (99%) as a white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K6 (326 mg, 0.99 mmole) in dioxane (7 mL) was treated with 2.0N HCl (5 mL) and the mixture heated at 80° C. overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO₃(aq), water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K7 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with 30% Et₂O in hexanes, in a yield of 208 mg (77.5%) as a white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K7 (208 mg, 0.729 mmole) in MeOH (6 mL) was treated with K₂CO₃ (101 mg, 0.765 mmole) and TosMIC (149 mg, 0.765 mmole) and the solution heated at 60° C. for one hour. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo, redissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 1.0N NaOH (diluted with saturated NaHCO₃). The aqueous portion was back-extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organics combined and washed with water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K8 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 10-50% acetone in hexanes, in a yield of 70 mg (44%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K8 (70 mg, 0.318) in acetic anhydride (1.5 mL) and pyridine (11.0 mL) was treated with 4-DMAP (catalytic) and stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂, washed with 1.0N HCl, water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to provide K9 in a yield of 82 mg (98%) as a pale yellow solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K9 (80 mg, 0.305 mmole) in dry EtOH (4 mL) was treated with SnCl₂.2H₂O (241 mg, 1.07 mmole) and the mixture heated at 60° C. for 50 minutes. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc, washed with saturated NaHCO₃, water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Pure K10 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 20-30% acetone in hexanes, in a yield of 52 mg (73.4%) as a pale yellow oil. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K10 (52 mg, 0.224 mmole) in dichloroethane (2 mL) was treated with m-tolyl isocyanate (43 μL, 0.336 mmole) and stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂:hexanes (2:1), filtered and rinsed with the same solvent system to provide K11 (67 mg, 82%) as a white solid. The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired structure.

A solution of K11 (33 mg, 0.09 mmole) in MeOH (2 mL) was treated with 1.0N NaOH (135 μL, 0.135 mmole) and stirred at ambient temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction was neutralized by addition of 1.0N HCl (135 μL) and concentrated in vacuo. The white solid was rinsed with water and CH₂Cl₂:hexanes (2:1) and dried in vacuo to provide 102 (20 mg, 68%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 9.29 (s), 9.00 (s), 8.42 (s), 7.69 (s), 7.55 (m), 7.37 (s), 7.33 (s), 7.27 (d), 7.16 (t), 6.80 (d), 5.39 (t), 4.58 (s), 2.28 (s). R_(f) 0.13 (1:1 hexanes/acetone).

Example 12

A solution of C4 (50 mg, 0.263 mmole) in THF (2 mL) was treated with CDI (53 mg, 0.330 mmole) and stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hours. To this was added 1-acetyl-6-aminoindole (93 mg, 0.526 mmole, Sigma Chemical Co.) and 4-DMAP (35 mg, 0.289 mmole) and the mixture refluxed overnight. Diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with 5% KHSO₄, water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Redissolved in EtOAc and filtered to removed insoluble materials and reconcentrated in vacuo. Pure 106 was obtained through flash chromatography, eluting with a gradient of 50-60% acetone in hexanes, in a yield of 37 mg (36%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 8.79 (s), 8.74 (s), 8.37 (s), 8.11 (s), 7.62 (d), 7.47 (s), 7.43 (s), 7.30 (d), 7.13 (d), 7.14 (d), 4.11 (t), 3.94 (s), 3.07 (t), 2.17 (s). R_(f) 0.14 (1:1 hexanes/acetone).

Example 13

A suspension of 113 (from Example 5) (250 mg, 5.76 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 mL) was treated in a dropwise fashion at ambient temperature with several equivalents of trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for 90 min. The resulting solution was stripped in vacuo and tritrated with CH₂Cl₂ and methanol. Pure product 168 was isolated by filtration in a yield of 258 mg (99%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired product.

A suspension of 168 (250 mg, 0.55 mmol) in 21 mL of CH₂Cl₂/DMF (20:1 by volume) was treated with triethyl amine (193 μL, 1.38 mmol) and stirred at ambient temperature until homogeneity was reached. The solution was cooled to 0 C, treated with (S) 3-tetrahydrofuranyl-N-oxysuccinimidyl carbonate (635 mg, 0.608 mmol) and allowed to stir overnight with warming to ambient temperature. The mixture was poured into ethyl acetate (500 mL), washed with NaHCO₃(aq)(2×), water (2×), and brine(1×), dried over Na₂SO₄ and stripped in vacuo. Pure product 120 was isolated by tritration (30 mL CH₂Cl₂, 100 mL ether) in a yield of 212 mg (85%). The ¹H NMR was consistent with that of the desired product.

Example 14 IMPDH Activity Inhibition Assay

We measured the inhibition constants of the compounds listed in Table III utilizing the following protocol:

IMP dehydrogenase activity was assayed following an adaptation of the method first reported by Magasanik. [Magasanik, B. Moyed, H. S. and Gehring L. B. (1957) J. Biol. Chem. 226, 339]. Enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically, by monitoring the increase in absorbance at 340 nm due to the formation of NADH (ε340 is 6220 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The reaction mixture contained 0.1 M Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 M KCl, 3 mM EDTA, 2 μM DTT, 0.1 M IMP and enzyme (IMPDH human type II) at a concentration of 15 to 50 nM. This solution is incubated at 37° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction is started by adding NAD to a final concentration of 0.1M and the initial rate is measured by following the linear increase in absorbance at 340 nm for 10 minutes. For reading in a standard spectrophotometer (path length 1 cm) the final volume in the cuvette is 1.0 ml. The assay has also been adapted to a 96 well microtiter plate format; in this case the concentrations of all the reagents remain the same and the final volume is decreased to 200 μl.

For the analysis of inhibitors, the compound in question is dissolved in DMSO to a final concentration of 20 mM and added to the initial assay mixture for preincubation with the enzyme at a final volume of 2-5% (v/v). The reaction is started by the addition of NAD, and the initial rates measured as above. K_(i) determinations are made by measuring the initial velocities in the presence of varying amounts of inhibitor and fitting the data using the tight-binding equations of Henderson (Henderson, P. J. F. (1972) Biochem. J. 127, 321].

These results are shown in Table III. K_(i) values are expressed in nM. Category “A” indicates 0.01 to 50 nm activity, category “B” indicates 51-1000 nm activity, category “C” indicates 1001 to 10,000 nm activity, category “D” indicates greater than 10,000 nm activity. The designation “ND” is used where a given compound was not tested. TABLE III Cmpd # K_(i) (nM) 1 C 2 C 3 B 4 D 5 C 6 C 7 B 8 C 9 C 10 C 11 C 12 C 13 C 14 C 15 C 16 C 17 B 18 C 19 C 20 C 21 C 22 C 23 C 24 B 25 C 26 C 27 C 28 C 29 D 30 C 31 D 32 D 33 D 34 C 35 C 36 C 37 C 38 D 39 D 40 C 41 C 42 B 43 B 44 — 45 C 46 B 47 B 48 C 49 C 50 D 51 D 52 C 53 C 54 C 55 A 56 B 57 B 58 C 59 A 60 B 61 D 62 C 63 C 64 B 65 B 66 C 67 C 68 B 69 B 70 C 71 C 72 C 73 B 74 B 75 B 76 C 77 B 78 B 79 B 80 C 81 C 82 C 83 B 84 B 85 B 86 C 87 D 88 C 89 C 90 C 91 C 92 C 93 A 94 B 95 C 96 B 97 A 98 B 99 A 100 B 101 C 102 C 103 C 104 C 105 B 106 B 107 A 108 B 109 B 110 B 111 A 112 B 113 A 114 B 115 B 116 A 117 B 118 C 119 A 120 A 121 A 122 A 123 A 124 A 125 A 126 A 127 A 128 A 129 A 130 A 131 A 132 A 133 A 134 A 135 A 136 A 137 B 138 A 139 B 140 A 141 A 142 A 143 B 144 B 145 A 146 A 147 A 148 A 149 A 150 A 151 B 152 B 153 A 154 A 155 A 156 A 157 B 158 B 159 A 160 A 161 A 162 A 163 B 164 B 165 A 166 D 167 B 168 B

Example 15 Anti-Viral Assays

The anti-viral efficacy of compounds may be evaluated in various in vitro and in vivo assays. For example, compounds may be tested in in vitro viral replication assays. In vitro assays may employ whole cells or isolated cellular components. In vivo assays include animal models for viral diseases. Examples of such animal models include, but are not limited to, rodent models for HBV or HCV infection, the Woodchuck model for HBV infection, and chimpanzee model for HCV infection.

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it is apparent that our basic constructions may be altered to provide other embodiments which utilize the products and methods of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is to be defined by the appended claims, rather than by the specific embodiments which have been presented by way of example. 

1. A method of inhibiting IMPDH activity in a mammal comprising the step of administering to said mammal a compound of the formula:

wherein: A is selected from: (C₁-C₆)-straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₆)— straight or branched alkenyl or alkynyl; and A optionally comprises up to 2 substituents, wherein: the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹ or R³, and the second of said substituents, if present, is R¹; B is a saturated, unsaturated or partially saturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring system optionally comprising up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S and selected from the formulae:

wherein each X is the number of hydrogen atoms necessary to complete proper valence; and B optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, wherein: the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹, R², R⁴ or R⁵, the second of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹ or R⁴, and the third of said substituents, if present, is R¹; and D is selected from C(O), C(S), or S(O)₂; wherein: each R¹ is independently selected from 1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, R⁶ or (CH₂)_(n)—Y; wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; and Y is selected from halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃, OH, SR⁶, S(O)R⁶, SO₂R⁶, NH₂, NHR⁶, N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶R⁸, COOH, COOR⁶ or OR₆; each R² is independently selected from (C₁-C₄)— straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄)-straight or branched alkenyl or alkynyl; and each R² optionally comprises up to 2 substituents, wherein: the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹, R⁴ and R⁵′ and the second of said substituents, if present, is R¹; R³ is selected from a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system consisting of 5 to 6 members per ring, wherein said ring system optionally comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, and wherein a CH₂ adjacent to any of said N, O, or S heteroatoms is optionally substituted with C(O); and each R³ optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, wherein: the first of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹, R², R⁴ or R⁵, the second of said substituents, if present, is selected from R¹ or R⁴, and the third of said substituents, if present, is R¹; each R⁴ is independently selected from OR⁵, OC(O)R⁶, OC(O)R⁵, OC(O)OR⁶, OC(O)OR⁵, OC(O)N(R⁶)₂, OP(O)(OR⁶)₂, SR⁶, SR⁵, S(O)R⁶, S(O)R⁵, SO₂R⁶, SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁶)₂, SO₂NR⁵R⁶, SO₃R⁶, C(O)R⁵, C(O)OR⁵, C(O)R⁶, C(O)OR 6, NC(O)C(O)R⁶, NC(O)C(O)R⁵, NC(O)C(O)OR⁶, NC(O)C(O)N(R⁶)₂, C(O)N(R⁶)₂, C(O)N(OR⁶)R⁶, C(O)N(OR⁶)R⁵, C(NOR⁶)R⁶, C(NOR⁶)R⁵, N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶C(O)R¹, NR⁶C(O)R⁶, NR⁶C(O)R⁵, NR⁶ C(O)OR⁶, NR⁶C(O)OR⁵, NR⁶C(O)N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶C(O)NR⁵R⁶, NR⁶SO₂R⁶, NR⁶SO₂R⁵, NR⁶SO₂N(R⁶)₂, NR⁶SO₂NR⁵R⁶, N(OR⁶)R⁶, N(OR⁶)R⁵, P(O) (OR⁶)N(R⁶)₂, and P(O)(OR⁶)₂; each R⁵ is a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system consisting of 5 to 6 members per ring, wherein said ring system optionally comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, and wherein a CH₂ adjacent to said N, O or S maybe substituted with C(O); and each R⁵ optionally comprises up to 3 substituents, each of which, if present, is R¹; each R⁶ is independently selected from H, (C₁-C₄)-straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄) straight or branched alkenyl; and each R⁶ optionally comprises a substituent that is R⁷; R⁷ is a monocyclic or a bicyclic ring system consisting of 5 to 6 members per ring, wherein said ring system optionally comprises up to 4 heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, and wherein a CH₂ adjacent to said N, O or S maybe substituted with C(O); and each R⁷ optionally comprises up to 2 substituents independently chosen from H, (C₁-C₄)-straight or branched alkyl, or (C₂-C₄) straight or branched alkenyl, 1,2-methylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, or (CH₂)_(n)-Z; wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; and Z is selected from halogen, CN, NO₂, CF₃, OCF₃, OH, S(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, SO(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, SO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, N((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)₂, N((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)R⁸, COOH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄)-alkyl or O(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; and R⁸ is an amino protecting group; and wherein any carbon atom in any A, R² or R⁶ is optionally replaced by O, S, SO, SO₂, NH, or N(C₁-C₄)-alkyl. 2-8. (canceled)
 9. A compound of the formula: wherein:

A, D, and B are as defined in claim 1; E is O or S; and G and G′ are independently selected from R¹ or H. 10-40. (canceled)
 41. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: a. a compound of the formula:

in an amount effective to inhibit IMPDH activity, wherein A, B and D are as defined in claim 1; b. an additional agent selected from an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, antiinflammatory agent, antifungal agent, antibiotic, or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation agent; c. a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. 42-44. (canceled)
 45. A method for treating or preventing IMPDH mediated disease in a mammal comprising the step of administering to said mammal a composition according to claim
 9. 46-53. (canceled) 